Commission looks at rule changes, first-reading items

By Mike Steely

Senior Writer

steelym@knoxfocus.com

While the Knox County Commission may pass a large tax break for a future mixed-use complex at 1624 Riverside Drive, the vote is but one item on a long agenda next Monday.

The work session’s Riverside vote, recommended by Mayor Glenn Jacobs and Commissioner Dasha Lundy, was deferred from January.

The commission’s Rules Committee has several items up for consideration next week including changing the name of the Cable TV Committee to the Telecom Committee. The Rules Committee is also suggesting updating the definitions of honorary resolutions, proclamations and discussion items.

Another Rules Committee recommendation is to clarify that a person who has signed up to speak on an agenda item will be given the option of speaking either at public forum or when the chosen agenda item is being discussed.

Commissioner Carson Dailey wants a first-reading discussion on the commercial storage of used tires. He also wants to talk about amending the code to increase the fine of a third offense for illegal signs placed on public right-of-ways.

Commissioner Kyle Ward wants a discussion on amending the Animal Control codes dealing with “Impoundment” and adding a section regarding the inhumane chaining of dogs. The discussion has been deferred for several months and follows the Knoxville City Council’s code changes inside the city prohibiting the unsupervised chaining, or tethering, of dogs in home yards.

The Planning Commission wants to change parts of the Knox County Code dealing with drive-through businesses.

In other action during the 78 agenda item meeting, Commissioner Lundy is asking the body to declare Black History Month and Commissioner Rhonda Lee wants to honor Samantha Monday for her work for drug treatment and mental health in the county.

The work session items will be chosen for public discussion by the chair or individual members and scheduled to speak are Lisa Zenni on ARPA funds for the County Arts and Cultural Alliance; Jim Snowden may speak on Knox County Roads, and Jeff Bagwell is scheduled to give a report on Rural Metro.

Ten new subdivision roads are scheduled for approval.

Commissioner John Schoonmaker may appoint a replacement for Steve Weiner, who has resigned from the Knox County Library Advisory Board.

Gresham Smith may be hired as the contractor for the design of the Gibbs Pedestrian Bridge and Thompson Engineering may be contracted to design sidewalks along Bluegrass Road from Zachary Taylor Road to near Ebenezer Road. The intersection improvements at Emory Road and Beaver Ridge Road may be approved with an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Transportation.